Inside The Nets

Mikal Bridges is the only player in the league to make more than 20 clutch buckets

Bridges has been having one of the most underrated seasons out of any NBA player, especially in the clutch.

Marin Gabric

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Before he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February of 2023, Mikal Bridges was often described as a solid 3-and-D player. That description held true as Bridges fulfilled a reliable role for the Phoenix Suns, excelling as a spot-up shooter and rim-runner while scoring responsibilities were handled by Devin Booker, allowing Mikal to maintain his designated role.

That is not the case anymore with the versatile wing because he’s embraced a go-to guy role with the Nets. Not only is he an amazing scorer, but he truly shines in those critical moments as the go-to guy. Topping the league with over 20 clutch baskets this season, he's making a strong case for the Clutch Player of the Year award by the end of the campaign.

Mikal continues to evolve

In just a few months, Mikal has evolved from being a solid role player into a legitimate All-Star candidate in Brooklyn. Coach Jacque Vaughn has given him the green light to be the main star, scoring points, and also stepping up to defend against the opponent's star player – a role that's quite special and comparable to what players like Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler undertake.

Mikal has really stepped up his game during his year with the Nets, showing impressive growth in scoring and playmaking. That combination makes him dangerous for the whole game but in clutch situations, he will take charge as the scorer but when needed, he will pass it to the right person.

Mikal is the ideal player to have in the clutch

In the midst of this season's nail-biting moments, the Nets have found a rock in Mikal Bridges. His all-around skills shine through, whether he's taking charge as the go-to scorer as per Coach Vaughn's strategy or playing the supporting role alongside standouts like Cameron Thomas or Spencer Dinwiddie.

Defensively, he steps up to guard clutch players, showcasing his ability to lock in on both ends of the floor. This makes him Coach Vaughn's go-to player when the going gets tough.

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Marin Gabric
MARIN GABRIC

Marin's love for writing developed in high school but was furthered in college when he took a number of creative writing courses. Doing sports writing felt like an extremely natural continuation, as it furthered his passions in both writing and basketball.  Marin loves the feeling of looking at stats after a game and analyzing what each team could've done better or what they excel in compared to the rest of the league. And the ability to do so for his favorite team, the Brooklyn Nets, is quite special in itself. 

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